Outhouse Birdhouse

The Outhouse Birdhouse plan is designed to be used by wrens
or house finches, but other small birds might find
this particular design suitable for nesting. This hill country
birdhouse is made from all natural western red cedar
and galvanized tin roofing.

This birdhouse can be built from a single 6' piece of 1x6 cedar fence
board. I made use of a small piece of 7" square galvanized tin that I
found, for the roof. You can also use western red cedar for the roof,
if you don't have a piece of galvanized tin available.

Outhouse Birdhouse Plans

Cut the sides, base, and back of the birdhouse, to the sizes indicated in
the drawings, and assemble them together as shown using 16 gauge galvanized
finish nails.

Cut the front door to the sizes indicated and drill a 1-1/4" entry
hole, centered 7" above the bottom of the door.

Attach the door to the birdhouse using 3/4" x 1.5" hinges
(black). The ones shown in the diagrams, were purchased from Home Depot.

The black "Hook and Staple" door latch (EVERBILT-19754) was also
purchased from Home Depot. Install it as shown in the drawings below.

The 2-3/4" x 4" header above the door was created by simply sketching
a moon shape on the front and cutting out the shape with a jigsaw.
Attach it as shown in the diagrams, using 16 gauge galvanized finish
nails.

Outhouse Style Birdhouse

Hanger Attachment

Center and attach the galvanized tin roof using any small galvanized
screws of your choice.

Once the birdhouse has been assembled, you can attach a hanger wire
to it by drilling holes, in both sides, and the edges of the roof (as
shown above - right). The holes might be a little off center (from
front to back) because the front of the birdhouse weighs slightly more
than the back.

You can determine the center of gravity (and location of the holes)
by supporting the birdhouse with your index fingers on each side, until
the birdhouse hangs perfectly vertical.

Door Latch

Door Hinge

I hope you enjoyed building this outhouse style birdhouse. It is
one of my favorite designs and has a nice large access door in the front for
cleaning it out after nesting season is over.

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